Self locking folding knife

Abstract

A further folding knife which automatically locks upon being moved to the open position. The knife includes a blade having a tang with a ledge portion defined in an upper region of the tang for receipt of a sliding bolt. The bolt is provided for sliding movement within a channel defined in the handle, and the bolt is urged forwardly towards the tang of the blade by a bolt spring, such as a coil spring. A band is connected at one end to the bolt, and the other end of the band is connected to a spool, which is carried for rotation within the handle. The spool can be rotated with respect to the handle to cause a winding of the band thereon, which in turn causes retraction of the bolt, such that the blade can be pivoted out of a locked extended position, towards a retracted position.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A folding knife, comprising: 
       an elongated handle;  
       a blade connected to said handle for movement between an extended position extending outwardly from said handle and a retracted position substantially adjacent said handle;  
       a locking member movable between a locked position for locking said blade in said extended position and an unlocked position for allowing said blade to move from said extended position to said retracted position;  
       a spring member for urging said locking member towards said locked position, such that upon said blade moving to said extended position, said locking member moves to said locked position to automatically lock said blade in said extended position;  
       a winding member carried for rotating movement by said handle;  
       a flexible link member connected to said winding member and said locking member, such that upon selective rotating of said winding member with respect to said handle, said winding member winds said flexible link member thereon and said flexible link member moves said locking member from said locked position to said unlocked position.  
     
     
       2. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines a channel for carrying said locking member for generally rectilinear motion. 
     
     
       3. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines a channel for carrying said locking member for generally rectilinear motion; said channel having a seat therein configured for receipt of one end of said spring member. 
     
     
       4. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines an exterior portion, and wherein said winding member extends outwardly from said exterior portion. 
     
     
       5. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said handle defines a cavity for receipt of said winding member. 
     
     
       6. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said blade includes a recess for receipt of said locking member upon said locking member being in said locked position. 
     
     
       7. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said blade includes a recess for receipt of said locking member upon said blade being in said retracted position. 
     
     
       8. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said blade includes a stop, said locking member bearing against said stop upon said blade being in said retracted position. 
     
     
       9. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said blade includes a stop, said locking member bearing against said stop upon said blade being in said retracted position; and said stop being configured to move said locking member to said unlocked position upon said blade being moved from said retracted position towards said extended position. 
     
     
       10. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said blade includes a curved end portion, and said locking member being configured to bear against said curved end portion as said blade is moved from said retracted position towards said extended position. 
     
     
       11. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said locking member is elongated and includes a first end for engaging said blade when said blade is in said extended position and a second end having an opening for receipt of said flexible link member. 
     
     
       12. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said locking member moves generally rectilinearly between said locked and unlocked positions, and wherein said handle defines a channel for carrying said locking member as said locking member moves between said locked and unlocked positions. 
     
     
       13. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said spring member is a coil spring. 
     
     
       14. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said spring member is a coil spring generally encircling said flexible link member. 
     
     
       15. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said winding member includes a generally cylindrical portion. 
     
     
       16. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said winding member includes a stop for, limiting the extent to which said winding member can rotate. 
     
     
       17. A folding knife as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said flexible link member is a cable. 
     
     
       18. A folding knife, comprising: 
       an elongated handle;  
       a blade connected to said handle for movement between an extended position extending outwardly from said handle and a retracted position substantially adjacent said handle;  
       a locking member movable generally rectilinearly between a locked position for locking said blade in said extended position and an unlocked position for allowing said blade to move from said extended position to said retracted position;  
       said blade including a recess for receipt of said locking member upon said locking member being in said locked position; said blade including a first recess for receipt of said locking member upon said blade being in said retracted position; and said blade further including a stop, said locking member bearing against said stop upon said blade being in said retracted position; and said stop being configured to move said locking member to said unlocked position upon said blade being moved from said retracted position towards said extended position;  
       said handle defining a channel for carrying said locking member moves between said locked position and said unlocked position;  
       a spring member for biasing said locking member towards said locked position, such that upon said blade moving to said extended position, said locking member moves to said locked position to automatically lock said blade in said extended position;  
       a winding member carried for rotating movement by said handle;  
       a cable connected to said winding member and said locking member, such that upon selective rotating of said winding member with respect to said handle, said winding member winds said cable thereon and said cable moves said locking member from said locked position to said unlocked position.  
     
     
       19. A folding knife, comprising: 
       an elongated handle;  
       a blade connected to said handle for movement between an extended position extending outwardly from said handle and a retracted position substantially adjacent said handle;  
       a locking member movable between a locked position for locking said blade in said extended position and an unlocked position for allowing said blade to move from said extended position to said retracted position;  
       a spring member for urging said locking member towards said locked position, such that upon said blade moving to said extended position, said locking member moves to said locked position to automatically lock said blade in said extended position;  
       a flexible link member connected to said locking member; and  
       winding means connected to said locking member, such that upon winding of said winding means, said winding means wind said flexible link member thereon and said flexible link member moves said locking member from said locked position to said unlocked position.